Device for operating the toggle arm of conventional light switch

ABSTRACT

A device for operating the control lever of a conventional light switch including a pliable tubular member for engaging the control lever and an elongated control member having a reduced cross-section at one end terminating in an enlargement. The control member extends through a hole in the tubular member and is held captive therein.

United States Patent Reznik et al.

[ Mar. 27, 1973 [54] DEVICE FOR OPERATING THE TOGGLE ARM OF CONVENTIONAL LIGHT SWITCH 2,726,303 12/1955 Berndsen ..74/544 X Primary Examiner-Charles J. Myhre Assistant Examiner-F. D. Shoemaker Attomey-Arland T. Stein, Thomas Robert D. Yeager [57] ABSTRACT A device for operating the control lever of a conventional light switch including a pliable tubular member for engaging the control lever and an elongated control member having 'a reduced cross-section at one end terminating in an enlargement. The control member extends through a hole in the tubular member and is held captive therein.

2 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures C. Wettach and PATEFHEUHARZYIQH 3 2,

INVENTORS Alan A. Reznik 8| Marion Reznik 11 DEVICE FOR OPERATING THE TOGGLE ARM OF CONVENTIONAL LIGHT SWITCH This invention relates to a device for operating the control lever of a conventional light switch; more particularly, to a non-conductive device for engaging the toggle arm of a conventional wall light switch to permit actuation thereof from remote locations.

The advantages of a control downwardly from a conventional wall light switch to permit operation thereof by small children and others incapable of reaching the switch are well known. Various devices forproviding this type of remote operation have been proposed but all of these have shortcomings which either limit their utility or prevent cheap and convenient manufacture.

For instance, Berndsen U. S. Pat. No. 2,726,303 discloses an attachment control which is relatively in permanent connection with the light switch toggle arm by means of set screws. Similarly, Allen U. S. Pat. No. 2,719,898 requires the use of an adhesive to secure the control attachment to the toggle arm. There may be frequently occurring situations where it is desired to remove the extension device and the foregoing prior art devices make that removal difficult and time-consuming. There is also the possibilityof damage to the light switch when a permanently affixed control device is subjected to abusive handling as might be expected from children.

Perhaps equally important is the possibility of damage to the control device or disconnection thereof from the toggle arm when a control device is handled abusively. For example, Craig U. S. Pat. No. 3,175,420 provides an extension device for toggle switches but movement of the control arm is limited to pivotal movement in a substantially vertical plane. Any side loads or rotation of the control arm about its longitudinal axis would be likely to either damage the control device or separate it from the toggle arm. Similar limitations may be found in U. S. Pat. No. 2,719,898 to Allen. 1

In addition, the prior art devices suffer a common deficiency in that they are complex in design and thus require considerable time and expense in manufacture.

We have discovered a device for operating the control lever of a conventional light switch which overcomes the problems associated with the prior art devices. Our device is designed to eliminate or drastically reduce complex machining and forming operations during fabrication. The present invention is convenient to install and remove since it requires no separate means for securing it to the toggle arm of a light switch; and it does not interfere with the normal operation of the switch. In addition, the connecting means between the control arm of our device and the tubular member engaging the toggle arm, together with the nature of the materials from which those components are formed, permits abusive handling without risk of damage to the device or disconnection thereof from the light switch.

We provide a device for operating the control lever of a light switch comprising: a pliable tubular member having a hole formed near one end and being dimensioned to snugly engage the control lever at the oppositeend; and an elongated cylindrical control member having a reduced cross-section at one end terarin extending minating in an enlargement, said control member extending through said hole of said tubular member and being connected thereto by the engagement of said enlargement with the interior surface portions of said tubular member. Preferably, the reduced cross-section is in the form of a hyperboloid and includes a shoulder for engagement with the exterior surface portions of said tubular member. We further prefer that the enlargement comprises a flanged tip.

We further provide a device for operating the control lever of a light switch comprising: a pliable, hollow cylindrical member having an opening formed near one end and adapted to receive a portion of said control lever in the opposite end thereof; and an elongated cylindrical control member having a hyperbolic surface formed in one end including a shoulder and terminating in a flanged tip, said control member extending through said opening at said hyperbolic surface and being connected to said hollow cylindrical member by the en-' gagement of said flanged tip with the interior surfaces of said hollow cylindrical member and by the engagement of said shoulder with the exterior surface portions of said cylindrical member.

Other details, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description of certain present preferred embodiments thereof proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings we have shown certain present preferredembodiments of the invention in which: v

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the invention as it is used in connection with a conventional wall light switch;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary isometric view partially broken awayto expose the manner of connecting the components of the invention; and

FIG. 3'is a fragmentary side elevational view taken in section along the plane IllIIl of FIG. 2.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 2 is used to designate a conventional wall switch assembly including a cover plate 4 having a central hole 6 through which a toggle arm 8 protrudes. Toggle arm 8 generally pivots in a vertical plane from an on position to an off position to control the flow of electric current through the switch.

The present invention, shown attached to toggle arm 8 in FIG. 1, includes a tubular member 10 formed from a pliable material, preferably a clear vinyl plastic. Most conveniently, the tubular member 10 will have a cylindrical cross-section because of the availability of materials and the ease with which the tubular member may be placed over toggle arms having a variety of configurations; however, other cross-sectional configurations may be employed.

The pliable nature of the tubular member 10 permits it to be pushed over toggle arm 8 so that the walls of the cylindrical cavity of the tubular member conform substantially to the cross-section of toggle arm 8. In this manner, a snug engagement is provided between tubular member 10 and toggle arm 8.

An opening 12 is provided in tubular member 10 near the end opposite the end engaging toggle arm 8. Extending through opening 12 is an elongated control arm 14 preferably formed from a clear acrylic material. Again, the present availability of materials dictates that control arm 14 be formed from cylindrical stock.

The end of control arm 14 projecting through opening 12 has a reduced cross-section 16, best shown in FIG. 3. This reduced or necked-down portion 16 is preferably in the form of a hyperboloid. This configuration tends to absorb greater sheer forces than a configuration having an abrupt discontinuity. The reduction in cross-section results in the formation of a shoulder 17. The reduced cross-section 16 terminates in an enlargement 18 which preferably takes the form of a flanged tip.

The pliable nature of the tubular member permits the enlarged end of control arm 14 to be forced through opening 12 into the cavity 20; whereupon, the enlargement l8 isthereafter held captive within cavity 20. The impingement of shoulder 17 upon the surfaces 21 surrounding opening 12 restricts vertical upward movement of control arm 14 and thus provides the means for operating toggle arm 8.

If desired, a tip 22 may be placed over the free end of control arm 14 to provide a convenient grasping point or to cover any sharp surfaces resulting from the shearing of control arm 14. I

The novel structure of the captive end of control arm 14 together with the pliable nature of tubular member 10 and its hollow cavity 20 permits pivotal movement of control arm 14 from its normal vertically depending position for at least 90 in an infinite number of planes. The extent of movement is shown in broken lines in FIG. 1. This wide range of movement means that the present invention may be handled in an abusive manner without risk of damage. The elastic qualities of tubular member 10 permit it to be retained in engagement with toggle arm 8 as this wide range of movement of control arm 14 occurs. The nature of the connection between tubular member 10 and control arm 14 also permits unlimited rotation of control arm 14 about its own longitudinal axis.

Normal operation of the present invention is carried out by grasping tip 22 and exerting an upward force or a downward force to operate toggle arm 8. If it is desired to remove the invention from the light switch assembly 2, this may be easily accomplished by simply pulling on tubular member 10 and sliding it away from toggle arm 8.

Most conventional light switches are in the off position when the toggle arm is inclined downwardly. In this configuration, the bottom tip of the control arm of the present invention is normally inco'ntact with the wall, thereby reducing the risk of eye injury to persons proceeding in a darkened room.

We claim:

1. A device for operating the control lever of a light switch comprising:

a pliable, hollow cylindrical member having an opening formed near one end and adapted to receive a portion of said control lever in the opposite end thereof; and

an elongated cylindrical control member having a hyperbolic surface formed in one end including a shoulder and terminating in a flanged tip, said control member extending through said opening at said hyperbolic surface and being connected to said hollow cylindrical member by the engagement of said flanged tip with the interior surfaces of said hollow cylindrical member and by the engagement of said shoulder with the exterior surface portions of said hollow cylindrical member. 2. A device for operatlng the control lever of a light switch comprising:

a pliable tubular member having a hole formed near one end and being dimensioned to snugly engage said control lever at the opposite end; and

an elongated control member having a reduced cross-section in the form of a hyperboloid at one end including a shoulder and terminating in an enlargement, said control member extending through said hole of said tubular member and being connected thereto by the engagement of said enlargement with the interior surface portions of said tubular member and by the engagement of said shoulder with the exterior surface portions of said tubular member. 

1. A device for operating the control lever of a light switch comprising: a pliable, hollow cylindrical member having an opening formed near one end and adapted to receive a portion of said control lever in the opposite end thereof; and an elongated cylindrical control member having a hyperbolic surface formed in one end including a shoulder and terminating in a flanged tip, said control member extending through said opening at said hyperbolic surface and being connected to said hollow cylindrical member by the engagement of said flanged tip with the interior surfaces of said hollow cylindrical member and by the engagement of said shoulder with the exterior surface portions of said hollow cylindrical member.
 2. A device for operating the control lever of a light switch comprising: a pliable tubular member having a hole formed near one end and being dimensioned to snugly engage said control lever at the opposite end; and an elongated control member having a reduced cross-section in the form of a hyperboloid at one end including a shoulder and terminating in an enlargement, said control member extending through said hole of said tubular member and being connected thereto by the engagement of said enlargement with the interior surface portions of said tubular member and by the engagement of said shoulder with the exterior surface portions of said tubular member. 